Housewares retailers have been providing a plethora of inspiration for consumers to make the most of their outside space this month, but outdoor living is not merely a sunny weather, pandemic phenomenon, according to Jason Somers, general manager at Divertimenti in London.
Despite a location where local customers have small or no gardens, Jason acknowledges that demand for outdoor ovens and accessories has soared in in recent months, spurred on by the easing of restrictions outdoors. However, Jason sees the move towards outdoor living as a long-term lifestyle shift, which has gathered momentum over several years. “I think outdoor living is here to stay,” he states.
The retailer has built up its outdoor product offering over two or three years, in line with Jason’s own enthusiasm for the sector. Understandably, the pandemic has acted as a catalyst for sales, as Jason notes: “Investing in an outdoor space is a natural progression from kitting out an indoor kitchen and many customers have put a lot of money into buying outdoor ovens, al fresco tableware and accessories.”
Sunny weather now provides an ideal opportunity to “show off their new gear,” while entertaining, but Jason also states that: “Customers show us how they’re cooking an everyday meal for two people on their Lotus Grill.”
Hence the team at Divertimenti has been sharing ideas for outdoor cooking, such as sourdough pizza. It stocks Green Egg, Ooni Pizza Ovens (selling out on the same day as new stock is released online), and Delivita woodfired portable ovens, as well as Skeppshult Cast Iron, which “is really popular for outdoor use.”
*For more views on the shift to outdoor living, see Progressive Housewares’ May/June 2021 Food for thought [HERE].
Top: Section of Divertimenti’s windows.
